Robert M. Clayton, III Missouri Court of Appeals - Eastern District

Recommendations

Evaluation Year

2012

Background

Judge Robert M. Clayton, III was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District of Missouri in August 2011. Prior to his appointment to the appellate court, Judge Clayton served as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, and subsequently as a member of the Missouri Public Service Commission.

Judge Clayton has been active in the community, serving as a board member of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home Foundation; as a member of the board of Affordable Community Education; treasurer of the Trinity Episcopal Church; member of the Hannibal YMCA Mens’ Club; and as a member of the Missouri State Historical Society.

Judge Clayton is a member of The Missouri Bar, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the American Bar Association, the St. Louis County Bar Association, and the 10th Judicial Circuit Bar.

Discussion

In his short time on the bench, Judge Clayton has already written six published opinions, along with another 19 unpublished opinions. The committee reviewed all of the published opinions authored by Judge Clayton. The cases included issues regarding admissibility of expert evidence, criminal law and civil matters. The opinions were clearly written, and demonstrated an appropriate application of law to facts. They also demonstrate an understanding of the appellate standards of review.

In addition, Judge Clayton received the following ratings out of a possible rating of 1-5 from members of The Missouri Bar: 4.15 for being fair and impartial toward each side of the case; 4.12 for issuing opinions in a timely manner; and 4.12 for treating parties equally regardless of race, sex, or economic status.